New Jersey Generals Defeat Philadelphia Stars 37-33 in Sunday Night Thriller

Photo by Al Kornspan

Canton – The New Jersey Generals, behind the spectacular play of quarterback DeAndre Johnson (15-20, 213 yards), defeated the Philadelphia Stars, 37-33 in week nine of the USFL regular season.

 

“The Generals were excited to win,” said Generals Head Coach Mike Riley, a former San Diego Chargers Head Coach and long time Oregon State University Head Coach. “Also, very excited to keep our playoff hopes alive. I am really proud of the players. We had to hang on in the end and fight.”

 

The game got off to a quick start as the New Jersey Generals kick returner, Cam Echols-Luper returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. The Philadelphia Stars tied the game at 7 on a touchdown reception by Corey Coleman, a former Baylor University standout, and Cleveland Browns receiver who was the Browns number one draft pick in the 2016 draft.

For the game, Coleman led the Stars with 9 catches for 98 yards. Later in the first half, the Stars added two field goals by Luis Aguilar. Earlier in the season, Aguilar, a Northern Arizona University alum, tied a professional football record by making 8 field goals in a single game.

The Generals added a field goal by Nick Sciba, a former kicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a touchdown pass to take a 17-13 lead going into halftime. 

The touchdown came on a halfback option by Darius Victor to tight end Braedon Bowman.

The Generals extended their lead early in the second half to 37-16 on two touchdowns runs by Darius Victor (the 2022 USFL offensive player of the year) and a touchdown run by Trey Williams.

Trailing 37-16 early in the fourth quarter, the Stars made a great comeback led by quarterback Case Cookus (25-40, 263 yards, 3 TDs).

Cookus threw two 4th quarter touchdown passes to Terry Wright and Diondre Overton to get the Stars to within seven points at 37-30.

At this point, the Stars got the ball back and drove the ball down the field. 

However, the Generals stopped the drive and forced the Stars into a long fourth down play with a little more than a minute left in the game.

As professional football fans we often anticipate or debate decisions coaches make at the end of close games.  

That’s why football is so entertaining and fun to watch.  

Should our favorite team go for it on a long fourth down with the game on the line, or should they kick a field goal and then try an onside kick?

However, maybe there are other alternatives.  Just like the MLB decided to put a runner on second at the beginning of an extra inning, the USFL allows teams options after a score to provide late game opportunities for a team that is trailing.

This alternative was on display at the end of the Philadelphia Stars vs. New Jersey Generals game.

With the Stars trailing by 7, they chose not to risk a long 4th down try and kicked a field goal with 1:39 left in the game to make the score 37-33.

In the USFL, rather than kicking off and attempting an onside kick, the Stars were able to get the ball back at their own 33 for a 4th and 12 play. 

Even though the Stars did not complete the pass for the first down, the Generals were called for pass interference. This allowed the Stars to retain possession with a chance at a final drive to score the game winning touchdown.  

Although the Stars were stopped on the last drive, the 4th and 12 rule created a lot of excitement for fans.

USFL teams will complete their regular season on June 17 and June 18.  

A four team playoff will be held on June 24 and June 25 followed by the USFL Championship Game on July 1.